Human Nature and the Causes of War

by John David Orme

Overview

What are the causes of war? Wars are generally begun by a revisionist state seeking to take territory. The psychological root of revisionism is the yearning for glory, honor and power. Human nature is the primary cause of war, but political regimes can temper or intensify these passions. This book examines the effects of six types of regime on foreign policy: monarchy, republic and sultanistic, charismatic, and military and totalitarian dictatorship. Dictatorships encourage and unleash human ambition, and are thus the governments most likely to begin ill-considered wars. Classical realism, modified to incorporate the impact of regimes and beliefs, provides a more convincing explanation of war than neo-realism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319771663
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	04/07/2018
Edition description:	1st ed. 2018
Pages:	293
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x (d)

About the Author

John David Orme is Professor of Politics at Oglethorpe University, USA, and author of The Paradox of Peace; Deterrence, Reputation and Cold-War Cycles; and Political Instability and American Foreign Policy.

Table of Contents

1. Human Nature, the Regime and War

2. Kings and Counselors
Monarchy
The Wars of Louis XIV
Charles XII’s Invasion of Russia
Frederick II and the Aggrandizement of PrussiaNicholas I and the Crimean War
Otto von Bismarck and the Austro-Prussian War
The Wars of Kings and Counselors

3. Heroes and Sultans
Tyranny, Charisma and Sultanism
Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia
Louis Napoleon and the Franco-Prussian War
Francisco Solano López and the War of the Triple Alliance
Idi Amin’s Invasion of Tanzania
The Wars of Sultans and Charismatic Dictators

4. Soldiers and Subordinates
Praetorian Dictatorship
The Japanese Military and the Pacific War
Mohammad Ayub Khan and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Gamal Abdel Nasser and the Six Day War

The Argentine Junta’s War over the Malvinas
The Wars of Praetorian Dictators

5. Despots and Demagogues
Totalitarianism
Mussolini’s Entry into World War II
Hitler’s Invasion of Soviet Russia
Mao’s Intervention in the Korean War
Saddam Hussein’s Wars
The Wars of Totalitarian Tyrants

6. Oligarchs, Democrats and Rebels
Republics
Britain and the American Revolution
The War of 1812
The Secession of the Confederacy
The Wars of Republics

7. Classical Realism and History: Findings and Implications

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“John Orme has written a superb and timely book demonstrating the inadequacies of neo-Realism and identifying the root cause of its error in all configurations. He has grounded his richer and more compelling explanation for war in a combination of regime type, the propensities of individual leaders and the Thucydidean trinity of fear, honor, and interest. Policymakers and scholars will profit immensely from this sensible, rigorous study of why states fight.” (Robert G. Kaufman, Robert and Katheryn Dockson Professor of Public Policy, Pepperdine University, USA)